Fellow Deputies, I am deeply moved, deeply honoured, by the high position you have bestowed on me by electing me Ceann Comhairle. I wish most sincerely to extend to all of you my heartfelt gratitude. I will strive earnestly to prove worthy of this high honour by emulating the high standards of my predecessors in the Chair. I will strive earnestly to uphold the dignity and the decorum of the House. Moreover, I will strive to enhance its prestige as one of the foremost democratic assemblies of the world. All Deputies may be assured of my utter fairness and strict impartiality in the discharge of my duties. I appeal, therefore, for your consideration and co-operation so that my task may be all the easier. I feel, friends and colleagues, that that co-operation will be forthcoming readily.

Guím rath Dé ar an obair. I will now take nominations for the position of Taoiseach.